Glamping near Waterville, Pennsylvania offers travelers comfort options in Clarksboro, about 20 miles east of Philadelphia. The region sits at the edge of the Delaware River watershed with elevations ranging from 5-400 feet above sea level, creating diverse camping terrain. Fall camping season typically runs September through late October with nighttime temperatures averaging 45-60°F.
What to do
Hiking trails access: At French Creek State Park Campground, guests find multiple trail options for day hikes. "There is a ton of hiking, the lake is beautiful, at least two playgrounds (perfect for our kids), the bathrooms were well maintained," notes a camper who appreciated the variety of terrain.
Fishing opportunities: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots with specific regulations. "There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," reports one visitor who spent time on the water.
Historic sites exploration: Within 30 minutes of most campgrounds, visitors can explore Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. "We did Chinatown and walked part of the Schuylkill River trail which we accessed by parking near Fairmount Park. This is a great area to explore with gorgeous views and easy access to the River trail," shared a camper from Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA.
What campers like
Waterfront camping: Sites at Atsion Family Camp provide direct lake access for water activities. "I always get site #8 and it has an amazing view of the lake. While camping at Atsion family campground, you have free access to the recreation center (the beach and some trails)," shares one regular visitor who enjoys the waterfront location.
Clean facilities: Many reviewers highlight bathroom quality as a key factor in their camping experience. "The bathrooms were immaculate compared to most campgrounds," notes a reviewer at Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA who appreciated the cleanliness standards.
Seasonal activities: Winter camping options exist at several parks for off-season exploration. "Stayed over for one night in early December. Showers and bathrooms were great! The honor system of payment at the office makes it really easy to come in late and leave early, make sure you have cash on you," reports a camper at French Creek State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, especially during peak season. At Old Cedar Campground, "Reservation only includes 2 people - it's 8.00 per day for each additional person. The bath house(s) are centrally located near the camp office," explains a camper who visited with family.
Site selection considerations: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds and even within the same facility. "The site was fairly level, side-to-side, so I really only needed to level front to back. That was a bonus," reports a visitor to Lums Pond State Park who appreciated the minimal setup required.
Seasonal closures: Operating seasons vary by location, with some facilities closing during winter months. "This does close for winter and reopens in April but call park for exact closure dates because they do change," advises a Philadelphia South/Clarksboro KOA camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Philadelphia-West Chester KOA offers designated kid-friendly areas near campsites. "Nice playground and jump pad for kids. Nice camp store. Only downside was walnuts loudly hitting our roof at night!" shares a family who stayed with children.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer pools or swimming areas with seasonal availability. "Lake campground great for families. My kids are age 3-12. Very quiet at night. The children's pond is a short ways away for well stocked fishing," notes a visitor to Hibernia County Park.
Activity planning: Scheduled events provide entertainment options for younger campers. "They had a breakfast, games and crafts geared towards it. The pool and splash park were great but you needed to be at least 42 inches to go on the slide or bounce house," reports a family who stayed at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park during Father's Day weekend.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: For glamping in RVs, connection points vary widely between parks. At Hibernia County Park, campers should note "There are NO HOOKUPS, and water is not easy to come by if you are in an RV. If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank."
Site dimensions: RV size restrictions apply at most glamping locations. "We paid $46 per night plus fees for a FHU 50 Amp Back-in site(#56). Beautiful park setting with fantastic site—spacious, level, good-working hookups, and paved," reports a visitor to Lums Pond State Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer waste disposal facilities. "There is NO DUMP STATION. There are a few nearby campgrounds that will let you dump for a fee, otherwise, you'll have to look for a truck stop on the way home," advises an RV camper at Hibernia County Park.
